The people whose names, addresses and signatures appear below, petition the City of Greater Geelong Council as follows:

The Australian International Airshow at Avalon features a 4-day trade exposition where weapons manufacturers showcase technology used to commit genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and other human rights abuses internationally. These companies negotiate sales to the militaries in attendance worth billions of dollars. They profit from war, death and destruction.

The $630,000 Council spends on the Airshow every two years should be invested in essential community services, which have been subject to funding cuts in recent years.

The economic impact of the Airshow, which is used by Council to justify this funding, a) does not directly benefit the most vulnerable in our community who need essential services the most, and b) has a lower return on investment than other events funded by COGG and is therefore not the most efficient use of public funds.

We therefore petition the City of Greater Geelong to terminate all Council financial funding and financial support for the Avalon Australian International Air Show, including sponsorship funding and exhibitor/trade stand fees, in the 2025-2026 budget and all future Council budgets.

Please address responses to this petition to IPAN via ipangeelongandswvic@gmail.com